Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.
The term “surrogate motherhood” refers to an arrangement where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple, who then become the legal parents. Pope Francis’s objection to this practice is rooted in his belief that it commodifies the sacred process of creating life. Commercial surrogacy, where financial transactions are involved, adds another layer of complexity to the moral concerns surrounding this issue.
The Pope’s condemnation of the “commercialization” of pregnancy draws attention to the commodification of the human body and the potential exploitation of women in vulnerable situations. When financial incentives are introduced into the process of surrogacy, the risk of coercion and exploitation becomes apparent. Pope Francis asserts that such practices compromise the inherent dignity of women and turn the miracle of life into a transaction.
In some parts of the world, commercial surrogacy is a thriving industry with varying degrees of regulation. Certain U.S. states permit and regulate commercial surrogacy, contributing to a complex ethical landscape. The Pope’s call for a universal ban on surrogacy is a clear denunciation of the profit-driven nature that has become intertwined with the conception and birth of children through surrogate mothers.
In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in which peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened, and in some part lost.”
This began “with the life of the unborn child in the mother’s womb, which cannot be suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking,” he said.
“In this regard, I deem deplorable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs.
“A child is always a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract. Consequently, I express my hope for an effort by the international community to prohibit this practice universally.”
In June 2022, the pope condemned surrogacy as an “inhuman” practice.
“Altruistic” surrogacy, whereby a woman gives birth to a baby on behalf of another woman or couple but no money changes hands, excluding for expenses, is legal in countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Canada, Brazil and Colombia.
Commercial surrogacy is permitted in some US states.
Pope Francis’s call for a universal ban on surrogacy challenges us to reflect on the ethical implications of assisted reproduction and the commodification of life. While technological advancements have provided opportunities for individuals or couples struggling with infertility to experience parenthood, the Pope urges us to consider the broader consequences of such practices.
The debate over surrogacy is complex, involving considerations of reproductive rights, women’s autonomy, and the ethical boundaries of assisted reproduction. Pope Francis’s perspective adds a moral dimension to this discourse, emphasizing the importance of protecting the dignity of individuals involved in the surrogacy process.
As society grapples with evolving norms and values, the Pope’s plea prompts us to engage in thoughtful dialogue about the ethical implications of surrogacy and to consider alternative approaches that uphold the sanctity of life and human dignity.
